Comments on: A Question of Authenticity

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 04:36:45 +0000

Shawn, that’s one great article–one of the most inspiration things I’ve read in a long time. It is truly amazing what can be achieved through such hard work and intense dedication as yours. I’m in awe all over again. You’re enthusiasm is admirable. I wish I had just an once of it.

By: Shawn Speakman

Shawn Speakman — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:20:12 +0000

Good luck with Connie’s site, Lee! I really enjoy what I do for Terry. If I didn’t, I would have left long ago. And it’s always nice when you order the signed books from The Signed Page; it’s fun pointing out to the authors that you are a customer who has been there from the very beginning and a truly avid fan of the genre!

By: Lee Whiteside

Lee Whiteside — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:06:11 +0000

Shawn,
Nice article on how things came about with your working with Terry on his now official web site. I’ve been along for most of that ride, watching it grow and have definitely taken part in many of the online signings you’ve done.
I’ve followed a somewhat similar path with Connie Willis, starting up conniewillis.net a couple of years back to have an up to date online reference for Connie’s work. I’m hoping to get Connie and her publisher (including Suvudu) more involved once All Clear is ready for publication.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:09:20 +0000

Hi Dave, thank you for the very kind words! I’m definitely one of those karmic guys: Do good things for others, good things will happen to you.
I think that’s why I’ve never asked Terry for a dime since I’ve been doing this. My payment all of these years has been the ability to read the books before anyone else. So far Terry’s paid on time.
Of course he takes care of me in other ways, but I firmly believe one gets out of the universe what one puts in. Hard work breeds more work. Giving means you’ll eventually receive. Blah blah blah. I hope that makes sense.
Plus, The Godfather is one of my favorite movies. Usually if I do someone a favor, it comes back to me 10 fold.
Thank you for posting the link and writing what you wrote. Very nice. And of course you can link here. Suvudu is in its infancy, but we mean to build a large community here with the next phase. So this kind of back and forth dialog is encouraged!

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:18:03 +0000

Hey Shawn, great article, answered many questions I had. I’ve also had a vision of something, but completely different, though still linked to the publishing world. Anyway! I decided that the article needs as many readers as possible, so I linked to it from my blog, hope you don’t mind. Here it is: http://davebrendon.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/spotlight-shawn-speakman/
Cheers,
Dave

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:20:21 +0000

Hi Rob,
I’ll be moderating a panel on Saturday at 1:30 that is a Sci-Fi, Supernatural, and Fantasy Authors Round Table.
Panelists could be: Vicki Pettersson, Tamora Pierce, SC Butler, Peter V. Brett, Margaret Ronald, Kim Harrison, John Birmingham, Jocelynn Drake, Jeff Somers, Jeaniene Frost and Alex Irvine.
So, a big panel. I know what I want to say and what angle I’ll be coming into it at. Should be fun.
As for The Dark Thorn, I’m going to need every ounce of your luck. It’s a hard industry to break into, no matter who you are. I hope I’ve written a book that is worthy to be published. We’ll see. If you read my Prologue on my website be sure to let me know your thoughts on it. It’s unedited. But I think it is okay to be read. Cheers!

By: Rob B

Rob B — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:36:01 +0000

Shawn,
Nice story! Good luck with The Dark Thorn. What panel are you moderating?

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:24:11 +0000

Thanks, Kyle! When I moderate that panel in NY come February I will take a tiny bit about what novel or movie or comic book influenced us enough to brought us all together at that convention.
Everyone has at least one influence that leads to more influences that lead us to the passionate work we do — whether as readers or writers or editors or publicists or whatever. My first main influence is Terry Brooks. Yours, from the sound of it, is Stephen King. Anyone else who comes here has a similar influence.
Perhaps tomorrow on the weekend I’ll write a little article about influences and see if those who come to the site will post that first initial influence.
Happy Holidays, my friend!

By: Kyle M.

Kyle M. — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:11:03 +0000

Great article! It’s amazing where a lot of hard work and a few dreams can take you. This also takes me back to my time in college where I re-discovered that reading could be a lot of fun and not just “work.” It was Stephen King whose novels sucked me back in and opened the doors to genre to me, unlike you though, I have never had the chance to thank him in person for that though. You are one lucky dude – happy holidays!